Rome, Georgia is a treasure trove of Civil War history. Visitors can explore numerous historic sites throughout Rome and Northwest Georgia to learn about the region’s pivotal role in the conflict.
In May 1863, Union Colonel Abel Streight, operating out of Union-occupied northwestern Alabama, was ordered to lead a raid targeting the Western & Atlantic Railroad. The goal was to disrupt Confederate supply lines by severing the connection between Chattanooga and Atlanta. In addition to the railroad, secondary targets included supply stores, warehouses, bridges, and other strategic facilities in Rome.
The raid was ultimately unsuccessful, thanks to the heroic efforts of John Wisdom—often called the “Paul Revere of the Confederacy.” Wisdom rode 67 miles on horseback from Gadsden, Alabama, to Rome to warn the city of the impending Union attack. His midnight arrival gave Rome enough time to prepare. The grueling 8.5-hour journey required five horses and a mule, and remains one of the most legendary rides in Civil War history.
The Story of John Wisdom
John Wisdom was a former Roman who operated a ferry across the Coosa River at Gadsden, Alabama and transported Confederate mail on contract to and from Rome.
On the morning of May 2, 1863 Wisdom had crossed the river via his ferry to take a sack of corn in his buggy to a grist mill six miles from Gadsden. He returned to find his ferry sunk and a wooden bridge over Black Creek burning in the distance. Three men shouted to him from across the river that the town had been raided by Union troops on their way to Rome.
Neither they nor Wisdom apparently knew that General Nathan Bedford Forrest was close behind the enemy force. Wisdom immediately set off to warn Rome, driving the buggy 22 miles to Gnatville, Alabama where the horse gave out. There, the widow Nancy Hanks gave him the only transport she had, a lame pony only under the provision that Wisdom would not ride him more than five miles. True to his promise, Wisdom hobbled on to Goshen, Alabama five miles away.
From there Wisdom changed mounts four more times before reaching his mother’s home and the town of Rome.
Upon reaching Rome, Wisdom alerted George S. Black, the militia commander, then went through town at Black’s request “rousing people of his acquaintance.” About 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, he went to the home of his mother, who lived in Rome, and went to bed, probably exhausted and not wanting to hear the uproar he caused. Romans scurried out of bed, lit their lamps, and worked feverishly to expect the Yankee forces by daybreak.
Listen to the story of John Wisdom: The Ride of John Wisdom